Tanzania police ban International Youth Day gathering citing violence concerns

Tanzanian police have banned a planned youth gathering by the main opposition party, known as Chadema, scheduled to mark International Youth Day on August 12, 2024.

On Saturday, Chadema's youth wing announced that about 10,000 young people would gather in the southwestern city of Mbeya to commemorate the day under the theme "Take charge of your future."

However, Awadh Haji, the police chief in charge of operations and training, stated that "clear indications that their aim is not to celebrate International Youth Day but to initiate and engage in violence" led to the ban's initiation on Sunday.

"Police have decided to ban any form of internal and public gathering or demonstrations that go under the name of marking Youth Day," Haji said, as quoted by AFP, warning that they would lead to a breach of the peace.

His sentiments come amid weeks of anti-government protests by Kenyan youths, who have been demonstrating against the Kenya Kwanza administration led by President William Ruto.

Chadema officials denounced the police decision, urging President Samia Suluhu to intervene.

According to the AFP, the officials accused the police of blocking party convoys heading to Mbeya and making several arrests.

"President Samia, don't bring Magufuli's strange ways. International Youth Day is celebrated globally. Why are your police blocking Chadema youth on the road and arresting them?" Tundu Lissu, Chadema deputy chairman, said this on his social media platform, X.

He vowed that the planned event would proceed as scheduled, urging supporters to stand firm.

"This is not a time to stay silent, be afraid, or just talk. It's a time to stand up and be counted. Let's raise our voices with all our strength," he said.

Chadema's secretary general, John Mnyika, also criticised the police actions on X, calling them "illegal."

"These blockades and arrests are against political rights and show disrespect for the reforms you claim to support," he said.

Since assuming office in 2021, President Samia has shifted away from the late President John Magufuli's authoritarian practices.

Her administration has implemented political reforms, including easing some media and opposition restrictions. In January 2023, she lifted a ban on opposition rallies imposed in 2016 by Magufuli, aiming to restore democratic practices.

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After the lifting of the ban on opposition rallies, Lissu, a former presidential candidate, returned to Tanzania, according to AFP. He had spent several years in exile following an assassination attempt in 2017.

Chadema leader Freeman Mbowe was also released from detention in March 2022 after being held for seven months, just before the party’s planned public forum on constitutional reforms.